Milwaukee police Chief Ed Flynn considers University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students who rent east side apartments and duplexes "guests" - not residents - because they don't own property or directly contribute to the tax base, according to a letter the chief sent last month to a top UWM administrator.

The letter was about a police crackdown on disruptive student behavior in the UWM neighborhood since classes started last month.

Flynn himself rents an apartment in Milwaukee, though not in the UWM neighborhood.

"Unfortunately, the disorder and criminal damage that results from unruly students seems to be escalating," Flynn wrote in the letter dated Sept. 21. "It appears our strict enforcement and new practice of taking violators into custody are the strategies that have the greatest impact on the disorder.

"I view your students as 'guests,' since most do not own property in Milwaukee and they do not directly contribute to the tax base," the chief continued. "As guests, they should be exhibiting appropriate conduct. I will stand firm in representing the rights of city residents who deserve quality of life. They should not be expected to endure sleepless nights every weekend."

University spokesman Tom Luljak said Friday that the school was surprised and disappointed in Flynn's assessment because of the good working relationship between UWM and the Police Department.

He said that many off-campus students are from Milwaukee, and that those who come from elsewhere often stay for years, many establishing careers here.

"They study here, they work here, they vote here," Luljak said.

"Any suggestion that they are just visiting is frankly unfair to the thousands of students who are part of the fabric of the community," Luljak said.

Luljak said that by spending money in restaurants, at sporting events and businesses, students contribute greatly to the city's economic base.

He also pointed out that the rent they pay helps pay the property taxes of rental owners.

"We also find it hard to believe that those nonprofit agencies where students spend thousands of volunteer hours would consider them 'guests,' " Luljak said.

UWM has a $25,000 annual contract with the Milwaukee Police Department, spread over the fall and spring semesters, to periodically provide overtime pay for a couple of extra police squads to patrol the UWM neighborhood on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, according to Luljak.

That way, Luljak told the Journal Sentinel, the Police Department isn't leaving any part of the city uncovered while patrolling UWM neighborhoods.

The extra patrols are intended to both monitor student behavior off-campus and to help protect students from crimes such as robbery, assault and burglary, Luljak said.

"We make it clear it isn't a crackdown on house parties per se, but for student safety," Luljak said.